Therapy apparatus with integrated fluid conductors and noise attenuation

Abstract

In one example embodiment, an apparatus may include a panel with integrated fluid channels, wherein the panel and the fluid channel consist only of surfaces that can be manufactured with a straight-pull mold. A port may also be integrated into the panel to facilitate coupling the fluid channel to pneumatic components in an assembly. A seal may be secured to the panel over the fluid channel to form an integrated fluid conductor. The seal is preferably an adhesive label that can also be used for product labeling. Such an apparatus may be used in a control unit of a therapy system, employing several integrated fluid conductors. A method of manufacturing may include molding a panel, wherein the mold forms a channel integral to the panel. The panel and the channel preferably consist of surfaces that can be molded with a straight-pull mold.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for providing negative-pressure therapy, the apparatus comprising:
 a first housing; 
 a second housing configured to be coupled to the first housing; 
 a panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface facing the first housing, the panel coupled to the second housing; 
 a first fluid channel integrated into the outer surface of the panel; 
 a second fluid channel integrated into the outer surface of the panel; 
 a first channel port integrated into the panel and fluidly coupled to the first fluid channel; 
 a second channel port integrated into the panel and fluidly coupled to the second fluid channel; 
 a pump disposed between the first housing and the second housing, the pump comprising a negative-pressure port fluidly coupled to the first channel port and a positive-pressure port fluidly coupled to the second channel port; 
 a canister port coupled to the panel and fluidly coupled to the first fluid channel upstream of the negative-pressure port; 
 an expansion chamber coupled to the panel and fluidly coupled to the second fluid channel downstream of the positive-pressure port; and 
 an adhesive label coupled to the panel over the first fluid channel and the second fluid channel. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel, the first fluid channel, the first channel port, the second fluid channel, the second channel port, the canister port, and the expansion chamber consist of surfaces having a positive parting angle in at least one orientation. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid container fluidly coupled to the canister port. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fluid container fluidly coupled to the canister port; and 
 a dressing fluidly coupled to the fluid container.